This Spring, thanks to the generosity of our donors, Military Outdoors will provide scholarships for veterans, as well as those in the Guard and Reserve, who are interested in pursuing possible seasonal employment as a raft guide. These fast-paced programs will provide you with the skills necessary to work as a professional river rafting guide for commercial outfitters, summer camps, whitewater clubs, outdoor schools, and more. These courses also have the potential to create employment opportunities for graduates elsewhere in the Outdoor Industry and leadership positions within the Sierra Club.
Lodging, meals, and rafting equipment included. No prior skills or outdoor experience necessary.
Learn more about each of the courses and apply below. All trips are free to attend, although participants are responsible for travel costs. If you have any questions about any of the following courses, please contact Rob Vessels, Senior Campaign Representative, at military.outdoors@sierraclub.org.
Military Outdoors requires a $50 deposit authorization* upon registration in order to hold a participant's spot on the roster. This new policy is to ensure the maximum number of service members and veterans have an opportunity to participate in one of our outings. No-shows and late cancellations lead to empty roster slots; a problem we hope the deposit will mitigate. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
*Cancellation Policy: You will not be charged the $50 if you cancel by contacting military.outdoors@sierraclub.org two weeks prior to the outing departure date, or if you are ineligable for this outing following application reviews. Cancellations within two weeks of the trip start date and no-shows will forfeit their deposit and be charged $50.
April 1-6: Nantahala Outdoor Center Raft Guide School: Bryson City, NC
Wilderness First Aid (optional)
April 8-13: Nantahala Outdoor Center Raft Guide School: Bryson City, NC
Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) pioneered river guide school as a place to get training from top raft guides in the nation. In this whitewater guide class, you can learn to become a professional river guide at NOC's Nantahala River headquarters in western North Carolina.
Both guide school courses will have an optional two-day Wilderness First Aid (WFA) and CPR certification component on April 7-8. This 16-hour course provides basic first-aid training for outdoor enthusiasts and those working in the outdoor industry who want to be better prepared for trips in the backcountry. The WFA course covers topics ranging from preparation and prevention to assessment and treatment. WFA certification is valid for two years and is a requirement for Military Outdoors Outing Leaders and for many other jobs in the outdoor industry. American Safety Health Institute CPR and AED certification is valid for two years.
April 1-6: Apply here
April 8-11: Apply here
May 7-13: OARS Whitewater Guide School: Dinosaur National Monument, CO and UT
Military Outdoors provides scholarships for veterans and members of the Guard and Reserve who are interested in pursuing seasonal employment as a raft guide. O.A.R.S.' Dinosaur Whitewater Guide School is taught by professional river rafting guides.
If you do well in Dinosaur Whitewater Rafting Guide School, O.A.R.S. may consider asking you to stay on as a guide. (They give preferential consideration to their guide school graduates.) This course also has the potential to create employment opportunities for graduates elsewhere in the Outdoor Industry and leadership positions within the Sierra Club.
Click here for more information and our online application.
June 2-8: OARS California Whitewater Guide School: Lotus, CA
Military Outdoors provides scholarships for veterans and members of the Guard and Reserve who are interested in pursuing seasonal employment as a raft guide. O.A.R.S.' California Whitewater Guide School is taught by professional river rafting guides.
If you do well in California Whitewater Rafting Guide School, O.A.R.S. may consider asking you to stay on as a guide. (They give preferential consideration to their guide school graduates.) This course also has the potential to create employment opportunities for graduates elsewhere in the Outdoor Industry and leadership positions within the Sierra Club.
Click here for more information and our online application.
